A fire that has affected an area of approximately 1 500
hectares has ignited in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National
Park, located north of the Bloukrans Bridge. The fire was caused by a lightning
strike.
In a statement released by the South African National Parks
at approximately 22:00 on September 2, it said that the fire remained inaccessible
due to the challenging terrain, and efforts to contain it were primarily
carried out through counter burns and aerial water bombing.
The statement said, “Several counter burns have steered the
fire away from commercial plantations and critical infrastructure. The
firefighting team is currently conducting a counter-burn, with another one
planned for early tomorrow with the weather permitting.”
The management of the fire is conducted under a Joint
Operational Command (JOC) between SANParks, Southern Cape Fire Protection
Association (SCFPA), and the Mountain to Ocean (MTO) Group, ensuring a
coordinated response to the situation.
The statement said that aerial resources have been deployed
and are kept on-site for quick reaction to flare-ups, minimising ferry costs
and ensuring a rapid response.
SANParks also confirmed that the fire was managed as a
controlled burn and not a runaway wildfire.
“Measures are in place to prevent the fire from spreading
uncontrollably and potentially cause damage to property or affect lives,” the
statement said.
SANParks also urged members of the public to stay
clear from the affected areas to allow emergency services to carry out their
work without hindrance.
